Body lift

ABSTRACT

A movement system for moving a person, the movement system including, in at least certain aspects, power apparatus, primary line apparatus connected to the power apparatus, the power apparatus for selectively moving or playing out and taking in the primary line apparatus, one or a plurality of secondary lines connected to the primary line apparatus, the secondary lines, if there are a plurality of them diverging from each other and each extending to a corresponding movement station in a structure, the or each secondary line having a distal end extending into its corresponding movement station for connection to personal support apparatus around a person, and the or each secondary line movable by the power apparatus for moving a person to whose personal support apparatus the or each secondary line is attached.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention is directed to apparatuses for assisting themovement of a person and, in certain aspects, to apparatus for liftingand lowering a person with respect to, e.g., a bed, a chair, a vehicle,or a commode.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] The prior art discloses a wide variety of supports, lifts, andmovement assistance apparatuses for helping handicapped persons,patients in healthcare facilities, and invalids move and for helpingcaregivers move or aid in the movement of such persons. The prior artprovides such apparatuses for various situations e.g., movement into andout of a tub or shower areas; movement into and out of a vehicle;movement with respect to a commode; and movement with respect to a bedor chair.

[0005] Certain person movement apparatuses require a substantial andcomplex support structure in addition to already existing walls,foundations, and supports. Many personal movement apparatuses areconfined to a single area and do not service multiple stations in asingle place, e.g., in a house or hospital there are separate movementapparatuses adjacent commodes and adjacent beds.

[0006] There has long been a need for a movement apparatus that iseasily installed in existing structures, including, but not limited to,in homes or hospitals. There has long been a need for such a anapparatus that can service multiple stations in the same building orlocation. There has long been a need for such apparatuses which iseasily adjustable and easily connected to body support apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0007] The present invention discloses a movement system for moving aperson, the movement system in certain aspects having power apparatus,primary line apparatus connected to the power apparatus, the powerapparatus for selectively moving the primary line apparatus, at leastone or a plurality of secondary lines connected to the primary lineapparatus, the at least one or more secondary lines each extending to acorresponding movement station in a structure, the one or more secondarylines each having a distal end extending into a corresponding movementstation for connection to personal support apparatus for moving aperson, and the one or more secondary lines movable by the powerapparatus for moving a person to whose personal support apparatus the atleast one secondary line is attached.

[0008] The present invention, in certain embodiments, discloses apersonal movement apparatus which has a central power device or machinefrom which extend and to which are connected a plurality of lines orcables. The lines diverge and are available in, and in certain aspectsare positioned above and extend down into, one or a plurality ofstations in and/or adjacent a building, house, hospital, or otherfacility or structure. Ends of the lines extend down from above into thearea of each station for easy and quick attachment to a support harnessor sling. A person can be moved, lifted, and/or lowered from one placeat that station to another place. For example, and not by way oflimitation, a person may be moved from a sitting position in a chair toa standing position; from a standing position near a commode to sittingposition on a commode; or from a reclining position in a bed to asitting position in the bed or to a standing position by the bed.

[0009] In one particular embodiment a lead line or lead rope extendsfrom a power device or machine that selectively moves, and/or takes inand plays out the lead line or lead rope. The power device is located inany convenient location and may be on ground level if appropriate linedirection changing hardware, pulleys, and/or rings are used. in oneaspect the power device is located above a plurality of rooms. From thelead line or lead rope extend a plurality of secondary lines each ofwhich has a distal end available in each of the plurality of rooms forattachment to a personal support apparatus or sling for facilitatingpersonal movement in each room.

[0010] In certain aspect there is a central control, wired and/orwireless, that controls the main power device and thus controls thelines going to each location in a facility. In other aspects there is acontrol device in each location to which a secondary line extends. Inother aspects there is a hand-held or personal control device, wired orwireless, which may be used by a caregiver or assistant of by the personbeing moved.

[0011] It is, therefore, an object of at least certain preferredembodiments of the present invention to provide:

[0012] New, useful, unique, efficient, nonobvious personal movementapparatuses;

[0013] Such apparatuses with multiple support lines for multiplestations in a single facility;

[0014] Such apparatuses which are easily installed in existingstructures and which, in certain aspects, can use existing structuralsupport members; and

[0015] Methods for using such apparatuses.

[0016] Certain embodiments of this invention are not limited to anyparticular individual feature disclosed here, but include combinationsof them distinguished from the prior art in their structures andfunctions. Features of the invention have been broadly described so thatthe detailed descriptions that follow may be better understood, and inorder that the contributions of this invention to the arts may be betterappreciated. There are, of course, additional aspects of the inventiondescribed below and which may be included in the subject matter of theclaims to this invention. Those skilled in the art who have the benefitof this invention, its teachings, and suggestions will appreciate thatthe conceptions of this disclosure may be used as a creative basis fordesigning other structures, methods and systems for carrying out andpracticing the present invention. The claims of this invention are to beread to include any legally equivalent devices or methods which do notdepart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0017] The present invention recognizes and addresses thepreviously-mentioned problems and long-felt needs and provides asolution to those problems and a satisfactory meeting of those needs inits various possible embodiments and equivalents thereof. To one ofskill in this art who has the benefits of this invention's realizations,teachings, disclosures, and suggestions, other purposes and advantageswill be appreciated from the following description of preferredembodiments, given for the purpose of disclosure, when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detail in thesedescriptions is not intended to thwart this patent's object to claimthis invention no matter how others may later disguise it by variationsin form or additions of further improvements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] A more particular description of embodiments of the inventionbriefly summarized above may be had by references to the embodimentswhich are shown in the drawings which form a part of this specification.These drawings illustrate certain preferred embodiments and are not tobe used to improperly limit the scope of the invention which may haveother equally effective or legally equivalent embodiments.

[0019]FIG. 1A is a top schematic perspective view of a system accordingto the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a power device for a systemaccording to the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 2A is a perspective end view of a power device for a systemaccording to the present invention. FIG. 2B is an end view of the deviceof FIG. 2A.

[0022]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a power device for use in a systemaccording to the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 4 is a side view showing a person being moved with systemaccording to the present invention.

[0024]FIGS. 5A and 5B are side views of persons to be moved with asystem according to the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of part of a harness for use withsystems according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS PREFERRED AT THE TIME OF FILING FOR THISPATENT

[0026]FIG. 1A shows a system 10 according to the present invention witha central power apparatus 20 mounted in a ceiling 32 above a room 31 ofa multi-room house 30. Of course it is to be understood that such asystem may be used in any structure, building, hospital, apartment,health care location or facility for movement of a person. The house 30has additional rooms 32-36 and a carport, garage or vehicle parking area37 with a vehicle 38. A lead line, cable, or rope 21 extends from thepower apparatus 20 to a first ring (or pulley or bearing) 22. Connectedto the lead line 21 are a plurality of secondary lines 23 which extendfrom the lead line 21, to and through a second ring 24 (which may bemounted at any desirable location), and then to a pulley, ring, or othermounting hardware 25 in the ceiling of each room and in the carport areafrom which they extend downwardly into the room or area.

[0027] Alternatively the secondary lines may pass through holes injoists or beams (e.g. like the hole 23 a, FIG. 1B). Appropriate slots 26or other openings may be provided in the ceilings to accommodatemovement of the secondary lines when they are being attached to aharness or sling and/or when the power apparatus 20 is operating.Alternatively, the lead rope may extend to and through the ring 24;optionally, additional rings may be used; and/or the secondary lines mayextend through the ring 24.

[0028] Although the power apparatus is shown positioned in or above aceiling, it is within the scope of this invention for the powerapparatus to be located anywhere and for the line(s) that it moves to berun from a lower position up to a point above a movement station usingappropriate hardware and/or line directing appratus.

[0029] A control system 40 has room controllers 41 in each room or areaso that a person in each room or area can selectively activate anddeactivate the power apparatus 20 to raise or lower a person. Wiredconnections 42 may be used between the room controllers 41 or wirelessremote control apparatus(es) 43 (positionable in any room or area) maybe used.

[0030] As shown the secondary lines 23 exit the room ceilings at pointsadjacent: a shower in room 33, a dining chair in room 32, a sofa in room35, an easy chair in room 35, a bed in room 34, an easy chair in room34, and a car in area 37. However, it is within the scope of thisinvention to use a system according to the present invention like thesystem 10 in any location for working a person. It is also within thescope of this invention to delete any of the secondary lines, anycombination of them (leaving at least one), or to delete all of them butone. The apparatus 20 as shown is a typical garage door openerapparatus, e.g. but not limited to, those commercially available fromChamberlain Company. The lead line 21 may wind and unwind from a reel(not shown) or (see FIG. 3) it may be connected to a member 29 on theapparatus that is moved back and forth by a power apparatus 20 (or 20 aFIG. 3). Any suitable powered apparatus, device, or machine may be usedto play out and take in the lead line 21. Alternatively, according tothe present invention, the lead line 21 is manually accessible in theroom 31 and a person at an end of one of the secondary lines 23 ishoisted and lowered manually by using the lead line 21, with or withoutcranking apparatus, reel apparatus, and/or pulley(s). In one aspect bothpowered and manual modes are available.

[0031]FIGS. 2A and 2B show the power apparatus 20 mounted in the ceiling32, between ceiling joists or beams 32 a. Optionally a grommet 26 isused to facilitate movement of lines through holes in ceiling materialssuch as sheetrock and/or to provide a passage way through ceilingmaterials for a power cord for the power apparatus.

[0032]FIG. 3 shows a power apparatus 20 a for a system according to thepresent invention (like the power apparatus 20, FIG. 1B) resting on andsecured to ceiling girders or beams 28.

[0033]FIG. 4 shows a person P1 with a body harness 50 having a strap 52connected to a secondary line 23 of the system 10 being moved up from achair C by operation of the power apparatus 20. As shown in FIG. 6, thestrap 52 has a plurality of spaced-apart openings 53 and a releasableclip 54 extends through one of the openings 53. A secondary line 23 issecured to the clip 54.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B persons P2 and P3 (P2 is taller thanP3) each with a harness 50 has a secondary line connected to one of theopenings 53 in the strap 52; thus the connection between the secondaryline 23 and a person to be moved can be adjusted depending on theperson's height.

[0035] The control system 40 may be any suitable known electroniccontrol system for controlling via wire and/or remotely a powerapparatus like the power apparatus 20. Optionally, a time delay, e.g. ofa few seconds may be provided between the time a person pushes a buttonor otherwise activates the system and the time lifting or lowering ofthe person commences. Also, optionally, the control system (which mayinclude a computer, computers, or programmed electronic controls) may beset or programmed to provide power to the power apparatus for a specifictime period so that the power apparatus is always shut off after thelead line has moved a predetermined distance, e.g. two, three, four orfive feet. Also, optionally, a kill switch (wired 60 or wireless 62,FIGS. 1A and 4 respectively) may, according to certain embodiments ofthe present invention, be provided in each room and/or for each personin a house, facility, etc. for instant system deactivation.

[0036] For adjustment of movement a rope with loops, a line with loops,or a piece of chain may be used between a person and a secondary line23. Secondary lines may be sufficiently long that they extend from anattic or ceiling area in a multi-story structure through one or morefloors to a floor on which person movement is accomplished.

[0037] In certain aspects the travel distance of the lead line isbetween five and six feet and in one particular aspect it is five feet,six inches.

[0038] The present invention, therefore, provides in certain, but notnecessarily all embodiments, a movement system for moving a person, themovement system including power apparatus, primary line apparatusconnected to the power apparatus, the power apparatus for selectivelymoving the primary line apparatus, at least one secondary line connectedto the primary line apparatus, the at least one secondary line extendingto a corresponding movement station in a structure, the at least onesecondary line having a distal end extending into a correspondingmovement station for connection to personal support apparatus for movinga person, and the at least one line movable by the power apparatus formoving a person to whose personal support apparatus the at least onesecondary line is attached. Such a system may have one or some (in anypossible combination) of the following: a plurality of movement stationsand the at least one secondary line is a plurality of secondary lines,each secondary line of the plurality of secondary lines extending to acorresponding movement station; the power apparatus and primary lineapparatus positioned above the movement station in the structure;wherein the at least one secondary line extends from the primary linedown into its corresponding movement station; guiding apparatus throughwhich the primary line passes for guiding the primary line as it moves;wherein the guiding apparatus comprises at least one ring through whichthe primary line passes and with respect to which the primary line ismovable by the power apparatus; wherein the primary line is movable adistance between five and six feet; wherein the at least one ring is twospaced-apart rings; wherein the structure includes a plurality of roomsand the at least one secondary line includes a plurality of secondarylines, each secondary line extending down into one of the rooms; thepersonal support apparatus, the personal support apparatus comprising abody harness releasably connectable around a person's body; alength-adjustable strap interconnected between the body harness and theat least one secondary line; control apparatus for selectivelycontrolling the power apparatus; wherein the control apparatus includesa remote control device for remotely selectively operating the controlapparatus; multiple spaced-apart operation units in the structure foroperating the control apparatus; wherein the multiple spaced-apartoperation units are connected by wiring to the control apparatus; thestructure, the structure including vehicle storage area, and the atleast one secondary line extending to the vehicle storage area forassisting a person in entering and exiting the vehicle; the structure,ceiling members in an upper part of the structure, and the powerapparatus mounted to the ceiling members; wherein a ceiling member has ahole through it and the at least one secondary line passes through thehole down to a movement station.

[0039] In conclusion, therefore, it is seen that the present inventionand the embodiments disclosed herein and those covered by the appendedclaims are well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the endsset forth. Certain changes can be made in the subject matter withoutdeparting from the spirit and the scope of this invention. It isrealized that changes are possible within the scope of this inventionand it is further intended that each element or step recited in any ofthe following claims is to be understood as referring to all equivalentelements or steps. The following claims are intended to cover theinvention as broadly as legally possible in whatever form it may beutilized. The invention claimed herein is new and novel in accordancewith 35 U.S.C. §102 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in§102. The invention claimed herein is not obvious in accordance with 35U.S.C. §103 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in §103. Thisspecification and the claims that follow are in accordance with all ofthe requirements of 35 U.S.C. §112.

What is claimed is:
 1. A movement system for moving a person, themovement system comprising power apparatus, primary line apparatusconnected to the power apparatus, the power apparatus for selectivelymoving the primary line apparatus, at least one secondary line connectedto the primary line apparatus, the at least one secondary line extendingto a corresponding movement station in a structure, the at least onesecondary line having a distal end extending into a correspondingmovement station for connection to personal support apparatus for movinga person, and the at least one line movable by the power apparatus formoving a person to whose personal support apparatus the at least onesecondary line is attached.
 2. The movement system of claim 1 whereinthere are a plurality of movement stations and the at least onesecondary line is a plurality of secondary lines, each secondary line ofthe plurality of secondary lines extending to a corresponding movementstation.
 3. The movement system of claim 1 further comprising the powerapparatus and primary line apparatus positioned above the movementstation in the structure.
 4. The movement system of claim 3 wherein theat least one secondary line extends from the primary line down into itscorresponding movement station.
 5. The movement system of claim 1further comprising guiding apparatus through which the primary linepasses for guiding the primary line as it moves.
 6. The movement systemof claim 5 wherein the guiding apparatus comprises at least one ringthrough which the primary line passes and with respect to which theprimary line is movable by the power apparatus.
 7. The movement systemof claim 6 wherein the primary line is movable a distance between fiveand six feet.
 8. The movement system of claim 6 wherein the at least onering is two spaced-apart rings.
 9. The movement system of claim 1wherein the structure includes a plurality of rooms and the at least onesecondary line includes a plurality of secondary lines, each secondaryline extending down into one of the rooms.
 10. The movement system ofclaim 1 further comprising the personal support apparatus, the personalsupport apparatus comprising a body harness releasably connectablearound a person's body.
 11. The movement system of claim 10 furthercomprising a length-adjustable strap interconnected between the bodyharness and the at least one secondary line.
 12. The movement system ofclaim 1 further comprising control apparatus for selectively controllingthe power apparatus.
 13. The movement system of claim 12 wherein thecontrol apparatus includes a remote control device for remotelyselectively operating the control apparatus.
 14. The movement system ofclaim 12 further comprising multiple spaced-apart operation units in thestructure for operating the control apparatus.
 15. The movement systemof claim 14 wherein the multiple spaced-apart operation units areconnected by wiring to the control apparatus.
 16. The movement system ofclaim 1 further comprising the structure, the structure includingvehicle storage area, and the at least one secondary line extending tothe vehicle storage area for assisting a person in entering and exitingthe vehicle.
 17. The movement system of claim 1 further comprising thestructure, ceiling members in an upper part of the structure, and thepower apparatus mounted to the ceiling members.
 18. The movement systemof claim 17 wherein a ceiling member has a hole through it and the atleast one secondary line passes through the hole down to a movementstation.
 19. A movement system for moving a person, the movement systemcomprising power apparatus, primary line apparatus connected to thepower apparatus, the power apparatus for selectively moving the primaryline apparatus, at least one secondary line connected to the primaryline apparatus, the at least one secondary line extending to acorresponding movement station in a structure, the at least onesecondary line having a distal end extending into a correspondingmovement station for connection to personal support apparatus for movinga person, and the at least one line movable by the power apparatus formoving a person to whose personal support apparatus the at least onesecondary line is attached, wherein there are a plurality of movementstations and the at least one secondary line is a plurality of secondarylines, each secondary line of the plurality of secondary lines extendingto a corresponding movement station, the power apparatus and primaryline apparatus positioned above the movement station in the structure,guiding apparatus through which the primary line passes for guiding theprimary line as it moves, wherein the primary line is movable a distancebetween five and six feet, the personal support apparatus, the personalsupport apparatus comprising a body harness releasably connectablearound a person's body, a length-adjustable strap interconnected betweenthe body harness and the at least one secondary line, and controlapparatus for selectively controlling the power apparatus.
 20. Anyinvention disclosed herein.